Humanists Stop Bible Distribution in Elementary School - American Humanist Association

MsOliver comments on Jan 8, 2018:

Never ceases to amaze me how often schools are willing to fight these same battles. This one and the prayer issue must cost me millions in tax dollars. There's a new suit in Webster Parish, LA over school prayers over the intercoms. We're talking about a state that has slashed education spending ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 24, 2018:

Prayers over the intercom are even worse than bibles in the hallway. A bible can be ignored.

What does evolution mean to you?

andygee comments on Jan 23, 2018:

My real answer isn't listed in the poll. An evolute derives a shape from an existing curve according to a rule. E means out, Vol is something rolled up. So evolution to me means, right or wrong, by virtue of its name, that it is a mathematical concept and not subject to debates about whether or ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 24, 2018:

@andygee It might be useful in a debate if you just want to confuse your opponent. There aren't that many people who would be familiar with the mathematical concept.

Tyrannical Governments

Coffeo comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Fine apart from embezzling taxes? No, the Australian government is far worse than that, and getting worse all the time. They are now trying to silence dissent and cripple charitable organisations, they are breaching international laws on refugees with complete impunity, and have no regard whatever ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 24, 2018:

@Lancer He has all the qualities you mention. I even agree with some of his views, but disagree profoundly on others. On balance, he is not one of my favourite politicians (not that I have many).

What does evolution mean to you?

andygee comments on Jan 23, 2018:

My real answer isn't listed in the poll. An evolute derives a shape from an existing curve according to a rule. E means out, Vol is something rolled up. So evolution to me means, right or wrong, by virtue of its name, that it is a mathematical concept and not subject to debates about whether or ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 24, 2018:

@Ride_Captain In case @andygee doesn't clarify: there is a sense in which evolution could mean the construction of an evolute — a geometric construction. Nothing to do with evolution as generally understood. I think he's just playing with words.

What does evolution mean to you?

evidentialist comments on Jan 23, 2018:

One does not 'believe' in evolution. Belief is an assumed truth and needs no evidence. Evolution requires no belief. One either accepts the ideas of evolution or one does not. Evolution as a process in nature is a fact. We know evolution happens. We have seen it. We can map it. We can make ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 24, 2018:

Very well put!

What Am I?

Coffeo comments on Jan 23, 2018:

As a scientist, and a physicist at that, I have been impressed with the idea that scientific method is the best approach to solving problems. But in my later years, I have come to recognise this as what some people call 'scientism'. In the final chapter of his book _The Mind of God_, published ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@Skyfacer And yet... and yet... as I described in another post somewhere, it was through the writing of Hoyle himself that I discovered that it was OK to doubt Christian beliefs.

What Am I?

Coffeo comments on Jan 23, 2018:

As a scientist, and a physicist at that, I have been impressed with the idea that scientific method is the best approach to solving problems. But in my later years, I have come to recognise this as what some people call 'scientism'. In the final chapter of his book _The Mind of God_, published ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@Skyfacer Yes, Davies has a bit to say about Hoyle in the same chapter that I just quoted from. Hoyle _did_ have a mystical experience (which he described as 'religious' ) while hiking the Scottish moors. [I had to add the space after the closing quote because otherwise it becomes an emoticon!]

Tyrannical Governments

Coffeo comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Fine apart from embezzling taxes? No, the Australian government is far worse than that, and getting worse all the time. They are now trying to silence dissent and cripple charitable organisations, they are breaching international laws on refugees with complete impunity, and have no regard whatever ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@Lancer I agree with some of your points, but not about Leyonhjelm.

Flat Earth

Coffeo comments on Jan 23, 2018:

There are so many ways to demonstrate that the earth isn't flat that it astonishes me that the issue is still alive.

Coffeo replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@RYSR10 Do you happen to know if the same belief is held by hard-line followers of the Jewish faith, who share the same Old Testament?

Tyrannical Governments

Coffeo comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Fine apart from embezzling taxes? No, the Australian government is far worse than that, and getting worse all the time. They are now trying to silence dissent and cripple charitable organisations, they are breaching international laws on refugees with complete impunity, and have no regard whatever ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@Lancer I'm sorry I didn't have time earlier to respond properly to your comment. You are dead right about no real leadership. I don't think any thought of 'efficiency' has crossed the minds of the people responsible for the current asylum seeker policy — it is a hugely extravagant program. I do not advocate an open borders policy, but many much more humane _and_ economical ways of handling the situation have been proposed, and the fact that the government appears not to even consider them is to me a clear indication that their real objective is not so much to deter people smugglers as to punish refugees (which many of the asylum seekers are known to be). I still have some hope that the ministers and former ministers responsible for the current mess might yet spend some time behind bars, but given the lack of teeth possessed by the bodies charged with enforcing international agreements, I have to admit it is a very slender hope. As for silencing dissent, you're probably correct that all governments do it (in varying degrees). But that does not amount to justification, and it does not, in my book, warrant a rating of 'fine'. The latest OECD data show that in 2014 Australia ranked 22 out of 35 in terms of wealth distribution among OECD countries. An Oxfam report released ahead of this year's Davos summit says "Over the decade since the Global Financial Crisis, the wealth of Australian billionaires has increased by almost 140 per cent ... yet over the same time, the average wages of ordinary Australians have increased by just 36 per cent and average household wealth grew by 12 per cent. ... The richest one per cent of Australians continue to own more wealth than the bottom 70 per cent of Australians combined ... The Federal government and Australian companies cannot ignore this inequality crisis and must act to curtail the widening gulf between the super-rich and ordinary workers." This was front page news in _The Age_ (a Melbourne paper published by Fairfax) on Monday of this week (22 Jan). The 'safety net' you mention is a far cry from _massive_, by the way.

Tyrannical Governments

Coffeo comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Fine apart from embezzling taxes? No, the Australian government is far worse than that, and getting worse all the time. They are now trying to silence dissent and cripple charitable organisations, they are breaching international laws on refugees with complete impunity, and have no regard whatever ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@Lancer Noted.

Flat Earth

Coffeo comments on Jan 23, 2018:

There are so many ways to demonstrate that the earth isn't flat that it astonishes me that the issue is still alive.

Coffeo replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@RYSR10 Why do religious people say the earth is flat?

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

A2Jennifer comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I would not expect an agnostic site to present a “balanced” view of belief/non-belief. I would expect it to be a supportive community for non-believers. Really, you don’t need to look hard to get a religious perspective, this is the other side of the coin. I assume “agnostic.com” was ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 22, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay Thank you for the clarification.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

A2Jennifer comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I would not expect an agnostic site to present a “balanced” view of belief/non-belief. I would expect it to be a supportive community for non-believers. Really, you don’t need to look hard to get a religious perspective, this is the other side of the coin. I assume “agnostic.com” was ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 22, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay By 'sciience dogma' do you mean scientific method? If not, what?

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Coffeo comments on Jan 19, 2018:

There are a lot of comments on this post, and I must confess to not having read all of them in detail. So if what I'm about to say reiterates anything in an earlier comment, I apologize in advance. If it is really the case that an agnostic regards the existence or non-existence of god as ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@A2Jennifer To me the key word here is _strongly_. How strongly? I feel very strongly (though without absolute certainty) that there is no god of the Judeo-Christian type. I am much more open to the idea of a non-interfering creator but I'm not sure that such a thing really warrants being called a god.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Coffeo comments on Jan 19, 2018:

There are a lot of comments on this post, and I must confess to not having read all of them in detail. So if what I'm about to say reiterates anything in an earlier comment, I apologize in advance. If it is really the case that an agnostic regards the existence or non-existence of god as ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay You know, that's too complicated for me. I'm going to stick with agnostic _de facto_ atheist. Hope you're OK with that! :-)

My roommate is a devout christian, who happens to be gay.

MsOliver comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Maybe he's part of a sect that accepts homosexuals? I know that the Episcopals up north are pretty liberal on the subject of homosexuality.

Coffeo replies on Jan 19, 2018:

When same sex marriage was debated in Australia last year, the churches were broadly against it, as you might expect. But there were many high-profile clergy, including bishops, who spoke out in favour. The law was passed.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Coffeo comments on Jan 19, 2018:

There are a lot of comments on this post, and I must confess to not having read all of them in detail. So if what I'm about to say reiterates anything in an earlier comment, I apologize in advance. If it is really the case that an agnostic regards the existence or non-existence of god as ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@David1955 @silvereyes I've decided it really doesn't matter after all, since nobody ever asks me what my views are about god or religion, and I never have to declare myself . The definition is really for me alone, and I prefer to go with _agnostic_ because, as the word implies, I don't know.

Is there a profession you find a turn-off?

AMGT comments on Jan 14, 2018:

though I'm not here for dating, if I saw that a person I was interested in was a cop, that would turn me off immediately. I know that not all cops are assholes, but i'm not willing to risk finding out ever again. Perhaps that's a character flaw of mine..I don't care.

Coffeo replies on Jan 19, 2018:

Imagine a world without cops? Great idea? Not so sure...

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Coffeo comments on Jan 19, 2018:

There are a lot of comments on this post, and I must confess to not having read all of them in detail. So if what I'm about to say reiterates anything in an earlier comment, I apologize in advance. If it is really the case that an agnostic regards the existence or non-existence of god as ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@silvereyes Exactly. I think I can regard myself as agnostic even though I don't think it's a 50-50 chance one way or the other. (In fact, how many agnostics _do_ think it's a 50-50 chance?) If we're talking about a creator god, then maybe a 1 or 2% chance, I'd say. If we're talking about a god who is actually aware of and interested in humans, I'd say more like a 0.0001% chance. :-)

Is there any country with least religion ratio?

evidentialist comments on Jan 18, 2018:

In order, the six least religious countries in the world today. Greatest percentage of committed atheists. China. China has by far the highest percentage - and even then not quite half - of convinced atheists out of all the world's countries. Japan. Czech Republic. France. Australia....

Coffeo replies on Jan 19, 2018:

Pleased to see Australia well up on the list there.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

JWDiaz comments on Jan 18, 2018:

The site doesn't deny the existence of god at anytime. To promote peaceful life without religion doesn't mean denying the existence of god, does it?

Coffeo replies on Jan 19, 2018:

That is a very good point. If at any time I went back to a belief in god, I think I would do so without the assistance of any sort of church.

I suspect a scammer in my messages, what should I do?

silvereyes comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I am fairly direct. I'd tell them that I'm not interested in continuing the conversation-- and only report them if they continued it anyway. Or, you could always do what the Scamalot guy did. Made a living off of people scamming him. LOL (Wondering if I need to add a disclaimer that I'm joking ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 18, 2018:

Great clip!

NEWTONIAN : EINSTEINIAN :: SECULAR : RELIGIOUS I love mashing up philosophy, theology, and ...

Sadoi comments on Jan 15, 2018:

"You would still need the aforementioned science "priests" to create the atomic clocks and the jets and that wealthy person would still just be a "sheep" insofar as they themselves have no knowledge of atomic clocks or jets and just trust that they do what the "priests" say they do.". "However, ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@Sadoi I'm in broad agreement, but I'm concerned about the amount of emphasis you place upon proving things. Science does not work that way. Only in mathematics do things get proven (and even then, subject to unproved axioms). Science collects evidence, and develops theories. The theories are tested by using them to make predictions that are then tested by experiment and observation. Some theories are better than others, and survive the process for longer. They can be disproved, but not proved — one can never be sure that any theory is the last word, and past experience suggests that every theory will ultimately be superseded by one that explains things better. I'm glad that you're optimistic and excited about the future. I do hope that you will continue to be so!

When did you start to identify as an atheist/agnostic?

paul1967 comments on Oct 5, 2017:

There was for me. It's quite funny how some memories stick with you so well. My mother who is now what I call a spiritual atheist (one who doesn't believe in a soul but feel as long as her body returns to the Earth without being cremated she will unconsciously live on as nutrition in plants and ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 17, 2018:

Sounds like you had a wonderful father.

As an atheist, can you also believe in the paranormal?

Sacha comments on Jan 16, 2018:

I think so. You can believe whatever you want to believe. To me being an atheist or agnostic is just not believing in god. That's how I see it. There is one psychic medium I believe in, and have seen evidence that what he says is true. That does not mean though I believe all people that claim to be...

Coffeo replies on Jan 17, 2018:

I don't think you can necessarily believe what you want to believe. When I stopped believing what I'd been taught at church and Sunday school, I went on _wanting_ to believe for quite a while.

As an atheist, can you also believe in the paranormal?

ScienceBiker comments on Jan 16, 2018:

I have a rather lengthy hypothesis on what causes "paranormal" experiences. It has to do with the direct stimulation of the sensory input processing centers of our brains (touch, smell, sound, vision), but bypass our eyes, nose, ears, etc.

Coffeo replies on Jan 17, 2018:

Along with @StarLady53 I'd like to know more. The idea seems plausible. Has it been tested?

As an atheist, can you also believe in the paranormal?

sassygirl3869 comments on Jan 16, 2018:

I believe in anything I want if there is proof.

Coffeo replies on Jan 17, 2018:

There is never proof.

NEWTONIAN : EINSTEINIAN :: SECULAR : RELIGIOUS I love mashing up philosophy, theology, and ...

Sadoi comments on Jan 15, 2018:

"You would still need the aforementioned science "priests" to create the atomic clocks and the jets and that wealthy person would still just be a "sheep" insofar as they themselves have no knowledge of atomic clocks or jets and just trust that they do what the "priests" say they do.". "However, ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 17, 2018:

@Sadoi I can't envisage any satisfactory proof of either reincarnation or of seeing the face of God that does not involve dying first. I think you and I are both quite intelligent, but I don't think it helps much in this case.

I've been thinking a lot about death recently and what I would like to happen with my remains when I...

David1955 comments on Jan 16, 2018:

If I could I would have my remains put into a rocket and shot into the Sun. I've never forgotten that Uncle Carl Sagan told us we are star stuff, and I'd like to be recycled that way. Bit difficult, I know.

Coffeo replies on Jan 17, 2018:

@David1955 Those are the kind of things I had in mind.

NEWTONIAN : EINSTEINIAN :: SECULAR : RELIGIOUS I love mashing up philosophy, theology, and ...

Sadoi comments on Jan 15, 2018:

"You would still need the aforementioned science "priests" to create the atomic clocks and the jets and that wealthy person would still just be a "sheep" insofar as they themselves have no knowledge of atomic clocks or jets and just trust that they do what the "priests" say they do.". "However, ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 17, 2018:

@Sadoi That is an excellent question.

I've been thinking a lot about death recently and what I would like to happen with my remains when I...

David1955 comments on Jan 16, 2018:

If I could I would have my remains put into a rocket and shot into the Sun. I've never forgotten that Uncle Carl Sagan told us we are star stuff, and I'd like to be recycled that way. Bit difficult, I know.

Coffeo replies on Jan 16, 2018:

@David1955 Not convinced about the UFOs, but if they had a propulsion system vastly superior to rockets, they'd probably manage it OK.

NEWTONIAN : EINSTEINIAN :: SECULAR : RELIGIOUS I love mashing up philosophy, theology, and ...

Sadoi comments on Jan 15, 2018:

"You would still need the aforementioned science "priests" to create the atomic clocks and the jets and that wealthy person would still just be a "sheep" insofar as they themselves have no knowledge of atomic clocks or jets and just trust that they do what the "priests" say they do.". "However, ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 16, 2018:

@Sadoi What sort of proof would be acceptable to you? I consider your first proposition to be very unlikely, and the second very likely, but I think they are both unproveable. In fact, I contend that it is only in mathematics that you can actually prove things.

I've been thinking a lot about death recently and what I would like to happen with my remains when I...

David1955 comments on Jan 16, 2018:

If I could I would have my remains put into a rocket and shot into the Sun. I've never forgotten that Uncle Carl Sagan told us we are star stuff, and I'd like to be recycled that way. Bit difficult, I know.

Coffeo replies on Jan 16, 2018:

@David1955 It's all about angular momentum, getting rid of. Even getting to Mercury requires flybys of both Venus and Earth to get rid of the stuff.

I've been thinking a lot about death recently and what I would like to happen with my remains when I...

David1955 comments on Jan 16, 2018:

If I could I would have my remains put into a rocket and shot into the Sun. I've never forgotten that Uncle Carl Sagan told us we are star stuff, and I'd like to be recycled that way. Bit difficult, I know.

Coffeo replies on Jan 16, 2018:

Um, yeah. Harder to get to the sun than to get to Pluto, even.

Does it seem like Christians throw Jesus’ death around in everybody’s face?

silvereyes comments on Dec 22, 2017:

Well, they do wear his bloody body pinned to a stick around their necks. Morbid, wouldn't you say?

Coffeo replies on Jan 13, 2018:

@MrLizard My thought exactly. I always avert my eyes from the disgusting sight of the murdered Christ; it's revolting.

In my continuing efforts to "secularize" my Bible belt school's senior class, I have my students ...

DJVJ311 comments on Jan 12, 2018:

I could listen to Stephen Frye all the time. My favorite is this one, which I assume you have heard, given your profession... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7E-aoXLZGY

Coffeo replies on Jan 13, 2018:

This is so good. I must admit to being something of a pedant in the way that Fry describes. Not about everything grammatical: I am happy to boldly split infinitives, and I don't think a preposition is the wrong thing to end a sentence with. But those grocer's apostrophes and incorrect use of _it's_ still annoy hell out of me. Having listened to this clip, I am resolving to try to be less of a pedant (except when editing academic papers).

Does belief in aliens equate to belief in god?

evidentialist comments on Jan 11, 2018:

There is some similarity between the two and the binding word is 'belief'. It is an entirely different matter for me, when wearing my scientist hat, to say there is certainly a non zero chance in the Universe -- even our galaxy for the existence of life. It's that nasty little word 'belief' that...

Coffeo replies on Jan 12, 2018:

I entirely agree about the use of the words _belief_ and _believe_. I never use either word when expressing my own opinions about things.

Does belief in aliens equate to belief in god?

Benthoven comments on Jan 11, 2018:

I think it's entirely possible that there are other planets that have life on them, and that maybe some day we will connect... probably through technology. It's highly unlikely, at least with the world as we know it now, that we were ever 'visited' or that we will make it off this planet any time ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 12, 2018:

I think you're right to distinguish between the possibility of alien life that is 'out there', just minding its own business, and alien life that is or has been present on Earth. While I _believe_ in neither, I consider the former to be much more likely.

Does belief in aliens equate to belief in god?

davtim68 comments on Jan 11, 2018:

We have aliens already. They're 7 miles under our oceans. I think it's insane to look for aliens in space when less then 10% of our oceans have been explored. There's life already there just waiting for discovery.

Coffeo replies on Jan 12, 2018:

Why do you consider life in the deep ocean to be alien?

[youtu.be]

Coffeo comments on Jan 11, 2018:

This is (in case you didn't recognize him) retired Bishop John Spong.

Coffeo replies on Jan 12, 2018:

@JMcD Other folk watching the clip might not have known. I didn't doubt that you knew.

One of Nova's best and most recent documentaries on Black Holes.

Coffeo comments on Jan 12, 2018:

Not available here :-(

Coffeo replies on Jan 12, 2018:

@evidentialist I had a bit of a look, but not a thorough check. Thank you.

Do you still find yourself praying from time to time? In what circumstances?

BackToReality comments on Jan 10, 2018:

I still do similar things out of habit. It's ingrained in me. I find myself doing it less and less as I slowly re-wire my brain (I've only been atheist for 11 months), but I imagine I'll catch myself doing it for years to come. Not a joke, the other day I was thinking about what kind of new ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 10, 2018:

Atheists are the true angels of the Lord.

Social environments

silverotter11 comments on Jan 9, 2018:

I live in eastern Washington State, an enclave of misogeny, racism (NOT as bad as the bible belt south) and republicans. There are some Democrates and free thinkers. Many religious folks, in this 176 unit complex there are 2 bible study groups and I pretty much keep my thoughts on that to myself.

Coffeo replies on Jan 9, 2018:

I can see why you mentioned Canada being close. Are things better on the Washington seaboard? I had an e-pal who liked living in Ocean Shores, but I think she was probably religious.

Beware the Basilisk =================== The following is based on an article by Jamais Cascio that...

silverotter11 comments on Jan 9, 2018:

Are you talking about Artificial Intelligence? It is a concern, "Open the pod bay door, Hal" comes to mind. But all of that is based on a personal god that has control over. Persaonally I don't believe in a personal 'god'.

Coffeo replies on Jan 9, 2018:

Yes, AI is artificial intelligence. How is an omnipotent AI related to the existence of a personal god? Reminds me of a story I once read (forget who the author was) about this AI that someone made and it was asked if there was a god. The reply was "There is _now_."

Legally Dealing With Christians That Troll

Coffeo comments on Jan 5, 2018:

Can you come to Australia? I simply can't imagine people behaving like that here.

Coffeo replies on Jan 9, 2018:

@silverotter11 I don't know what the requirements are concerning immigration: the Australian Government website could probably point you in the right direction. There are a lot of different climate zones. I live in Melbourne, where it is notoriously changeable. Last Thursday was very hot: about 42 C or 107 F. Then in late afternoon there was a lovely cool change with the temperature falling to the mid-20s in minutes. Other parts of the country can have the high temperatures for much longer. Winters in Melbourne are on the cold side, but never cold enough for snow except in the surrounding hills. If you're serious about coming here, message me for more info. Oh, and we do have some pretty big spiders, but they're not all over the place. I think it must be about a year since I last saw a really big one.

One thing I see occasionally is the "if there is no proof then it must be fake/non-existant" ...

Coffeo comments on Jan 8, 2018:

You can't expect proof, although disproof is possible. That which is not disproved remains possible, however unlikely it may be.

Coffeo replies on Jan 9, 2018:

@JohnnyThorazine If that which was disproved turns out to be true, then the disproof was fallacious. (Can happen!)

What is the bible to you?

silverotter11 comments on Jan 6, 2018:

A book full of stories. Chapter One of Gensis is my favorite. Everything got made, everything was inspected and deemed good. 420 time. End of story. Everything after that is like 50 shades of grey (never read the books or saw the movie) or lord of the flies mashed with catch 22.

Coffeo replies on Jan 8, 2018:

And who was employed to carry out the inspection of God's work?

I love the term Flattards for people who believe in a flat earth.

HippieChick58 comments on Jan 6, 2018:

The earth is not flat and I can prove it. Cats. Cats would have pushed everything and everyone over the edge already.

Coffeo replies on Jan 6, 2018:

Excellent! This should surely be enough to convince any flattard who has ever been owned by a cat.

In a world free of religion, what rules would no longer apply to you?

GipsyOfNewSpain comments on Jan 6, 2018:

in a world without religion? What are we doing with the old cathedrals and churches of historical significance? Demolition? Museum? Some are Serious work of art and architecture.

Coffeo replies on Jan 6, 2018:

Although I think a world without religion would on the whole be better, I find it hard to imagine a secular use for a great cathedral that would preserve the sense of peace and stillness that one gets within. (Not a night-club, certainly!) The distant footsteps on the stone floors, the quiet voices of a handful of others in the distance: I would be sad if these had to go.

Here’s your Grammar Police Badge! - What written mistakes bug you?

mymysticcrow comments on Jan 6, 2018:

Lmao. You don't want to open that can of worms with a 100ft pole. My family will take you down all the rabbit holes including obscure word definitions, and even academic debates of the likes of Harry Potter, LOTR and Monty Python. My sister is a BS Forensics. I have an MA Sociology. My mom ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 6, 2018:

board?

What's everyone reading right now??

ScienceBiker comments on Jan 5, 2018:

"A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Coffeo replies on Jan 5, 2018:

That's a terrific read!

Congratulations to @atheist. They're the second person on the site to make it to Level 8.

Coffeo comments on Jan 4, 2018:

How many levels before we get to Heaven?

Coffeo replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@Maya405 I'll have to be careful not to overshoot, then.

Legally Dealing With Christians That Troll

Coffeo comments on Jan 5, 2018:

Can you come to Australia? I simply can't imagine people behaving like that here.

Coffeo replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@ZoeZzonbie We do have our share of religious fruitcakes but they are mostly in the government :-( and not on the streets :-)

Should prostitution be illegal?

Coffeo comments on Jan 4, 2018:

Of course it should be legal, and regulated. Here in Australia, the laws vary between the states. Brothels are legal only in some states, where prostitution is regulated. In other states. independent sex work is legal, but brothels aren't.

Coffeo replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@RoboGraham There is one of those Hillsong churches a few kilometres away, and I think they are a bit pushy. But I've never encountered them around here. There is no bible belt, thank god (or whoever) :-)

Do atheists have morals without religion?

Rhetoric comments on Jan 5, 2018:

My cat knows when she's done wrong. A monkey can tell when it's receiving unequal treatment. An ape knows when another ape is cruel and should be shunned. I don't see where anyone gets this idea that it even requires a moral _code_—let alone an unassailable divine one!—to live a moral life. ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 5, 2018:

Furthermore, you can find instances on You Tube of animals going to the assistance of other animals (not even necessarily the same species), for no apparent gain to themselves. Sorry I don't have links to hand.

Should prostitution be illegal?

Coffeo comments on Jan 4, 2018:

Of course it should be legal, and regulated. Here in Australia, the laws vary between the states. Brothels are legal only in some states, where prostitution is regulated. In other states. independent sex work is legal, but brothels aren't.

Coffeo replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@RoboGraham Medicinal cannabis only, so far, and not in every state. Gay marriage, though, is nationwide now. Do you have it in all states? Kangaroos give an incredibly bumpy ride, although the pouch is handy for the shopping (providing Joey's left home).

In my profile, I say this about my self and religion.

HeathenFarmer comments on Dec 30, 2017:

I don't believe in talking snakes or any other kind of magical thing, that includes religion, gods, fairies, the Easter Bunny, Santa, ghosts, gnomes of the non ceramic variety, etc. I do believe that there are question as yet unanswered but, that time, science and mathematics will find those ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 4, 2018:

I agree, although I wonder if your wholehearted confidence in science and mathematics is fully justified — every time science (or math) answers one question, several new ones seem to pop up. I see no reason to suppose that this will stop happening. But it is not a reason for science to stop seeking answers. I speak as a scientist (retired).

In my profile, I say this about my self and religion.

JohnGalus comments on Dec 30, 2017:

I feel religion is a good thing if its understood in the proper perspective

Coffeo replies on Jan 4, 2018:

Which it often isn't.

I believe religion is destroying our nation.

Rugglesby comments on Jan 4, 2018:

Yes, religion is keeping Oz in the dark ages. We have a conundrum, our politicians are evil and stupid, and our population is lazy and most don't care as long as the footy is on and the beer is cold.

Coffeo replies on Jan 4, 2018:

Yes, but I think we're in better shape than the US in that regard.

So atheist or agnostic men don't shave, huh?

zeliasgrand comments on Jan 3, 2018:

I think you are either a troll who is yanking our chains (if so, get a better hobby) or someone who has for some reason confused Amish with agnostic or atheist. The Amish are Christian and observe the beliefs advocated by Jacob Amman. From somewhere back in the 1600s, I believe. Amish men grow ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 4, 2018:

@CS60 Ah.

So atheist or agnostic men don't shave, huh?

zeliasgrand comments on Jan 3, 2018:

I think you are either a troll who is yanking our chains (if so, get a better hobby) or someone who has for some reason confused Amish with agnostic or atheist. The Amish are Christian and observe the beliefs advocated by Jacob Amman. From somewhere back in the 1600s, I believe. Amish men grow ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 3, 2018:

@CS60 My dad had a moustache (no beard). He was an art teacher and as far from being a military type as you could imagine.

How do you think time works?

Coffeo comments on Jan 1, 2018:

It has to be more than a figment of the imagination, since there are sound reasons to think that time flowed in the early universe, and the early stages of our planet, long before there was any creature with what might be considered an imagination. Yet it remains a thorny philosophical question. The...

Coffeo replies on Jan 3, 2018:

@Treasurehunter Me too. Interesting to think about, though.

Secular humanism?

PEGUS comments on Jan 3, 2018:

I was at a Humanist Conference in Chicago summer before last and Bishop Jack Spong was a guest speaker. He said that he is a secular Humanist, but he didn't describe what he meant. I have heard him speak many times and have become friends with him and his wife, Christine. His views are extremely ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 3, 2018:

When my daughter, having served on the vestry of an Anglican church for a year or so, decided that organized religion was not for her, she began to explore the writings of Bishop Spong, and bought several of his books. I only dipped into them briefly before she took them with her to another city, but my impression was that he has the right idea.

How do you think time works?

Coffeo comments on Jan 1, 2018:

It has to be more than a figment of the imagination, since there are sound reasons to think that time flowed in the early universe, and the early stages of our planet, long before there was any creature with what might be considered an imagination. Yet it remains a thorny philosophical question. The...

Coffeo replies on Jan 3, 2018:

@Treasurehunter These are thorny questions! I think the universe must be finite if there was a Big Bang, becuase If it was finite immediately after the Big Bang, it must still be finite.As for the existence of time before the BB, either it did, or _before the BB_ becomes meaningless. I know some people think that time itself originated with the BB.

How to stop Donald Trump from making the US less secular?

ChrisZavadil comments on Sep 27, 2017:

Ban religion.

Coffeo replies on Jan 2, 2018:

Darn! Why didn't I think of that?

How do you think time works?

Coffeo comments on Jan 1, 2018:

It has to be more than a figment of the imagination, since there are sound reasons to think that time flowed in the early universe, and the early stages of our planet, long before there was any creature with what might be considered an imagination. Yet it remains a thorny philosophical question. The...

Coffeo replies on Jan 2, 2018:

@Treasurehunter Yes, I think you're right about entropy always increasing. I'm just not sure that this completely answers the question. Is it the increasing entropy that _causes_ time?

Flat earther rapper responds to Bill Nye: ‘You need to read some books’ – DeadState

Druvius comments on Jan 2, 2018:

This, this sort of stuff is why the aliens roll their eyes (or twirl their eyestalks, whatever) and fly right on by. I swear to God, sometimes I think I should make up the stupidest cult I can think of ... but I'm afraid some people would fall for it.

Coffeo replies on Jan 2, 2018:

Isn't that what Hubbard did? Worked for him.

Life on other Planets? Yes or No?

TheMiddleWay comments on Dec 31, 2017:

"It's a matter of probability! " There are several problems with adopting that philosophy: -The induction fallacy: just because there is one of something, we induce that there must be 2, 3, or 4 of that something somewhere else. That is a fallacy that can lead to thinking that because there is...

Coffeo replies on Jan 2, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay In principle you're right, of course. But they'd have needed a _very_ powerful transmitter. Not saying they couldn't, but would they bother, knowing that eons would pass before they could hope for a response? Agree on gravitational astronomy, but I can't see how it would be useful for detecting intelligent life. Unless they're busy building wormholes and that sort of thing, which would be interesting.

A question for agnostics

paul1967 comments on Dec 13, 2017:

Technically, an agnostic is an atheist. These two words respond to slightly different questions. Knowledge vs. belief. An agnostic is an individual who claims, the knowledge of the subject of God is unanswerable, but they lack any confidence in the claim. An Atheist is someone who doesn't believe in...

Coffeo replies on Jan 2, 2018:

Too much more of this kind of stuff and we'll be splitting into sects just like the churches.

Life on other Planets? Yes or No?

TheMiddleWay comments on Dec 31, 2017:

"It's a matter of probability! " There are several problems with adopting that philosophy: -The induction fallacy: just because there is one of something, we induce that there must be 2, 3, or 4 of that something somewhere else. That is a fallacy that can lead to thinking that because there is...

Coffeo replies on Jan 1, 2018:

SETI would only detect life signals from relatively nearby in our own galaxy. The universe is far, far bigger than that.

Secular humanism?

Janus819 comments on Jan 1, 2018:

I consider myself a secular humanist, but I have a couple bones to pick with this extended definition. * I don't hold the childish belief that the world is fair; I support equality of opportunity (true equality, not discrimination intended to "correct" former discrimination). The "social justice"...

Coffeo replies on Jan 1, 2018:

It comes from an Australian site, so the spelling is correct.

Atheists at weddings [facebook.com]

Levi_Hinton comments on Jan 1, 2018:

I found this to be an amusing photo. I haven't been to many weddings, but the ones I have been to have been rather awkward, especially when it came to the wedding vows. The worst was when the woman had to recite a line with something to the affect of "I promise to always obey my husband". Given ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 1, 2018:

A church wedding does not have to include the 'obey' bit, although it might vary from church to church.

Aren't we all agnostic?

Uncorrugated comments on Jan 1, 2018:

Although the word agnostic has several definitions of usage, its etymology derives from the Greek a-gnostic as in a = without and gnostic = knowledge. So its literal meaning is without knowledge. In some areas we are all agnostic, but common usage generally relates to knowledge of god. As some ...

Coffeo replies on Jan 1, 2018:

They will _claim_ that they are not agnostic (but we know better).

So what did you guys do for new years?

Hominid comments on Dec 31, 2017:

Drinking whiskey, watching movies on Kodi on my PC. SWMBO is watching Netflix in the living room.

Coffeo replies on Dec 31, 2017:

@dkp93 She Who Must Be Obeyed

Secular humanism?

Axelsan comments on Dec 31, 2017:

Who came up with this definition of Secular Humanism? I am use to humanism being defined as "an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common ...

Coffeo replies on Dec 31, 2017:

That definition was one that I took from the Victorian Humanist Society's webpage before the turn of the century. It's not there now.

Why does it seem that some people are harder to brainwash than others?

splittingzero comments on Dec 29, 2017:

I think we have a great deal in common, EJ. I always hated church, but, it was not an option 3 days a week. My parents were fanatic fundamentalists, and from the moment I could understand a few spoken words they started brainwashing me with their religion. At an age when mommy and daddy know ...

Coffeo replies on Dec 31, 2017:

Compared to you, I had it much easier. My parents and I went to church now and again. The minister (Presbyterian) dropped by a few times a year. We scarcely knew anyone else at the church. Sunday school was a boring waste of time, but not horrible. My mother was sad when I quit the church. My father didn't seem to care.

Should we create a lexicon for words that can replace common expressions like OMG, with a ...

Unicorn1824 comments on Dec 30, 2017:

OMG can also be oh my goodness.

Coffeo replies on Dec 30, 2017:

...and _goodness_ is a euphemism for...?

People tell me there is no such as atheism.

Coffeo comments on Dec 30, 2017:

The bible will not convince you, unless you are already convinced. It's a mass of contradictions. (Not that I've read very much of it, or have any intention of doing so.)

Coffeo replies on Dec 30, 2017:

I used to sing in an Anglican church choir, and we used traditional Anglican chant for the psalms, which, if done well (and we were quite a good choir) was simply beautiful. You don't hear that style very often these days.

Science vs everything else

silvereyes comments on Dec 15, 2017:

I don't think science is developed enough to tell us everything. It has it's limits. Things like love do not need to be dissected to know whether or not you feel them. There are a lot of questions science has yet to answer... maybe one day. The problem is: I don't think you can consider ...

Coffeo replies on Dec 29, 2017:

Science is really good at answering questions. It's also great at generating new ones. I don't see any reason to believe we'll ever reach the end of this process, or that it even _has_ an end.

Your definition for atheism is wrong.

buck1977 comments on Dec 29, 2017:

what about just normal invisible people?....can we still believe those exist?

Coffeo replies on Dec 29, 2017:

If an invisible person existed, would you really call him or her _normal?_

Your definition for atheism is wrong.

Uncorrugated comments on Dec 29, 2017:

When I say that as an atheist I do not believe in god I am not saying that no gods exist. I have made no assertions about a deity whatsoever, apart from the fact that I do not believe the assertions made by deists. An analogy I have used in the past uses a roulette table. The next spin will ...

Coffeo replies on Dec 29, 2017:

@DJVJ311 That's my question too.

Your definition for atheism is wrong.

splittingzero comments on Dec 29, 2017:

To protect oneself from becoming trapped in some erroneous belief, one must refrain from adopting any belief that which has not been conclusively proven. Or that which may forever be unknowable. I have been a slave to religion, and my escape was terrifying and painful, and agnosticism is my suit ...

Coffeo replies on Dec 29, 2017:

Nothing can be conclusively proven.

figured you guys might like this :) steal away :P I sure did lmao

Coffeo comments on Dec 29, 2017:

I could never have read the bible cover to cover. A few pages and I was bored stupid.

Coffeo replies on Dec 29, 2017:

Of course these days I fall asleep even reading books that I _like_.

Religion is dangerous because it allows human beings who don't have all the answers to think that ...

Zster comments on Dec 28, 2017:

Playing devil's advocate, I have heard the religious say similar things about science. I think there is danger in ever thinking we have all of the answers and ceasing the pursuit of new knowledge.

Coffeo replies on Dec 29, 2017:

@TheMiddleWay Yes, you are right, of course, because they have no answers. But for that reason they tend also to discourage the asking of questions.

Which Parent Are, or Were You Closest To?

IndySent comments on Dec 28, 2017:

Tough call. My dad is the goofy one, the one I can practice my comedy routine with, and the only man that has ever made me laugh so hard that I passed out from lack of oxygen. My mom, however, is the wise one, the one I go to for deep conversations and be real. I’d have to say it’s mom. I ...

Coffeo replies on Dec 28, 2017:

(except that I would find it hard to come down on one side or the other).

Which Parent Are, or Were You Closest To?

IndySent comments on Dec 28, 2017:

Tough call. My dad is the goofy one, the one I can practice my comedy routine with, and the only man that has ever made me laugh so hard that I passed out from lack of oxygen. My mom, however, is the wise one, the one I go to for deep conversations and be real. I’d have to say it’s mom. I ...

Coffeo replies on Dec 28, 2017:

That is almost exactly the answer I would have given!

Religion is dangerous because it allows human beings who don't have all the answers to think that ...

Zster comments on Dec 28, 2017:

Playing devil's advocate, I have heard the religious say similar things about science. I think there is danger in ever thinking we have all of the answers and ceasing the pursuit of new knowledge.

Coffeo replies on Dec 28, 2017:

Science is constantly asking questions. That is something religious people don't go along with.

camping and backpacking

Kreig comments on Dec 27, 2017:

Here in New Zealand, we call hiking *'tramping'*. It is my favourite past-time! I sometimes do short tramps like a couple of days, but more often than not go on extended tramps. I'm getting away for a few days to take a mate tramping, then as soon as I drop him off on the 3rd of Jan, I'm ...

Coffeo replies on Dec 27, 2017:

I just love those Kiwi maps.

camping and backpacking

Coffeo comments on Dec 27, 2017:

I'm kind of past that sort of thing now, although I still like walking. I've done hikes of two days or more in New Hampshire, New Zealand, and Australia.

Coffeo replies on Dec 27, 2017:

@Kreig : The longest walk I did was Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair in Tasmania. This was eight days, although Christmas Day was a rest day. Also had to carry everything. The walks I did in New Zealand were the Milford Track and the Routeburn Walk. Both of these were about four days, but I didn't have to carry a tent. I've done a lot of walking in my home state of Victoria, including I guess about half a dozen using a tent and staying at least one night on the trail. I can probably tell you more about these if you're interested but I'd have to look back through old photos.

Hot dogs and onions

Coffeo comments on Dec 12, 2017:

You live in England, so presumably you have a English sausages, a bit like our Australian ones and not remotely like American ones. In which case, grilled onion and tomato sauce on top of the sausage. If American sausage, I don't care: I wouldn't eat one no matter where you put the onion.

Coffeo replies on Dec 27, 2017:

@Krieg : it was @Lancer who was raving about Bunnings hotdogs. They're pretty ordinary. Although Bunnings is within walking distance, I wouldn't go there just to get one.

What do you guys think of the whole MGTOW, AWALT, red pill movement?

Coffeo comments on Dec 26, 2017:

No idea what you're talking about.

Coffeo replies on Dec 27, 2017:

@Tantravect : ok googling done. MGTOW: ok for some, but not for me. AWALT: just silly. red pill: makes sense.

Any transhumanists here?

Coffeo comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Don't know. What are they?

Coffeo replies on Dec 26, 2017:

I see. Well, I'm not one, then. Anyone else?

What is your prejudice?

HeathenFarmer comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Arrogant stupid people is the one group that I am truly prejudice against and My preconceived notion is that they are incurable. This has lead to me having no patience in dealing with them and a burning but controlled desire to beat the stupid out of them; although logic dictates that the brain ...

Coffeo replies on Dec 26, 2017:

But is this really a prejudice? To my mind to be prejudiced against a person or group is to dislike them without good reason. There are plenty of good reasons to dislike arrogant stupid people.

What's your weather like right now?

Coffeo comments on Dec 26, 2017:

It's a sunny morning, 27.8 C (82 F) heading for 34 C (93 F). A little too hot, but not ridiculous.

Coffeo replies on Dec 26, 2017:

@carlyhorton Christmas in July isn't a big thing here, certainly not a religious celebration. But some people do a sort of low-key thing. It's popular in the ski resorts.

If you are not a Christian, is it alright to go to church?

Uncorrugated comments on Dec 26, 2017:

I suppose it depends what you mean by go to church. Personally I would fell a hypocrite if I went to services and took part in the prayers. However, I often help out my local church with events they put on in my village as a part of the community. The vicar is aware that I am an atheist, as are ...

Coffeo replies on Dec 26, 2017:

As I started to read your comment, I was thinking: gosh, what part of the USA is this person in? Then I read your second paragraph.

is there any countries that are not so religious as usa ?

Hellbent comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Australia, certainly. But really ... just about anywhere! The USA's religious obsession is the only true exemplar of American exceptionalism. In other countries religious fruitcakes are regarded as ... well... fruitcakes.

Coffeo replies on Dec 26, 2017:

@Cameron : yes, Hillsong is a worry, and religious influence on politicians. I was thinking more of everyday life, where it's really considered rude to ask someone about their religion. It's a bit like asking how much they earn.

Should schools teach cursive handwriting?

William_Mary comments on Dec 25, 2017:

Why? I can't read 99.9% of peoples signatures as it is. I sure the hell don't want to read a letter or even a note with such disgrace to writing as such.

Coffeo replies on Dec 25, 2017:

Signatures aren't meant to be read, anymore than fingerprints. They're for identification. That's why you generally have to put your name in capital letters as well, when you sign documents.

My dad told my niece and nephews to stop saying "Oh my god!" as they excitedly played with their ...

Coffeo comments on Dec 25, 2017:

Crazy for sure. But I would have been angry, not amused.

Coffeo replies on Dec 25, 2017:

@spiderwolfmoon What a relief! OK to laugh, then.

About Jesus

farmboy2017 comments on Dec 7, 2017:

I think he was a conflated figure meaning that his individual characteristics all came from different heroes and combined into one super hero. Is it important that he actually existed? Yes, it would make religion 'real'. As it stands, now, it's mythology just like the Greeks, Mesopotamia, Assyrians,...

Coffeo replies on Dec 24, 2017:

(Although my guess is he didn't.)